CERN announced it would end formal cooperation with research institutes in Russia and Belarus, a move set against the backdrop of international sanctions and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Reported by Swiss media outlets and conveyed by the organization, the decision marks a notable shift in how one of the world’s premier centers for fundamental physics organizes its international partnerships. The change follows years of collaboration in which scientists from across borders participated in joint experiments, data-sharing initiatives, and coordinated research programs. In practical terms, the policy affects how joint projects are planned, how data and resources are shared, and how scientists from affected regions participate in CERN’s expansive programs. While the notice focuses on Russian and Belarusian institutes, it leaves room for certain forms of collaboration to continue under alternative arrangements, depending on the specifics of existing agreements and applicable governance rules. It represents a reconfiguration of CERN’s external collaborations in response to broader strategic considerations.
The statement said, “The decision of the member countries of the organization to stop cooperation with Minsk and Moscow will primarily affect cooperation with Russian scientific institutes.” The organization emphasized that this move will primarily influence ties with Russian research entities, a reflection of the collective posture adopted by CERN’s member states. This wording underscores that the shift is targeted rather than a blanket withdrawal from all scientific activity involving Russia. The decision is framed as a response to the evolving international landscape and the need to align scientific collaboration with current policy and security expectations.
It is stated that approximately 350 scientists collaborating with CERN are affiliated with Russian research institutes. It is stated that relations with Russian scientists working under other agreements unrelated to CERN and Russian research institutes will be maintained. The numbers cited illustrate the scale of existing collaboration and the potential impact on ongoing projects that relied on Russian partners. In parallel, CERN noted that cooperative efforts not directly tied to the organization or pursued through separate accords may continue under those independent frameworks, subject to respective terms and constraints. The nuanced approach highlights that while formal ties with the Russian institutes are ending, individual researchers may still be involved in related activities through other channels.
Previously Russian Vice President Andrei Fursenko statedHe said that foreign scientists did not want Russian experts to be removed from the projects of the European Organization for Nuclear Research, and that there were not enough votes in favor of Russia during the voting. In the subsequent clarification, Russian officials pushed back on the interpretation of the vote, noting that international collaborations often hinge on complex governance and political contexts. The remarks reflect a broader dialogue about participation, governance, and the balance between scientific openness and geopolitical realities. The discussion underscores how shifts in policy can influence the composition and leadership of large-scale physics programs while affecting the personal and professional ties of researchers around the world.
CERN is the world’s largest laboratory for high energy physics. The organization consists of 20 states. The description of CERN as a global hub for particle physics captures its role in coordinating experiments that require vast international teams, state-of-the-art accelerators, and shared data resources. The governance structure is designed to manage multi-year timelines, large-scale facilities, and the intricate logistics of cross-border collaboration. The measure to recalibrate partnerships within this ecosystem has implications not just for Russia and Belarus but for the broader network of institutions and researchers who participate in CERN’s projects and rely on its facilities for cutting-edge discoveries. The context is one of ongoing adaptation within a dynamic international research landscape.
Russian scientists before offered It operates under a “neutral flag”. The phrase hints at historical mechanisms that allowed researchers to contribute to CERN projects while navigating the legal and political constraints surrounding state affiliation. In today’s environment, the idea of a neutral or separate status continues to influence how researchers participate in multinational collaborations when formal state-level ties are shifting. As CERN renegotiates its partnerships, individual scientists may seek alternative routes to remain engaged with ongoing experiments, analyze data, or contribute to theoretical work, all within the bounds of current policies and supervisory oversight. The evolving arrangement reflects the broader effort to preserve scientific progress while aligning with the evolving geopolitical framework that governs international research.